Page 17 of Into the Fire

He said something else, but I didn’t hear it because I was just too far gone. I let the cool air blanket me and the drunkenness take me away to a dark place where I could rest.

SIX

ENZO

“She’s almost here,” I murmured, watching the tracking app bring her home. It had been an awful last few hours. We’d picked out a few new suits and the wedding tuxes and had gone to a late dinner. That was hours ago now though. We’d all been on edge, constantly checking our phones to see if she’d messaged.

She’d posted one photo on her Instagram of her, Anson, and some guy I remembered being named Ryder. She looked beautiful in it, her smile wide and her green eyes bright. As much as I wanted to call and talk to her, I forced myself away from my phone and made myself watch a movie in the living room with the guys.

“About damn time.” Cole went to the living room window and stared into the night, awaiting her arrival.

“I don’t like her being away,” E murmured. “But I hate keeping her here. It’s hard, isn’t it?”

“It is,” I murmured, watching as the app put her on our street.

“She’s fine. I spoke to Anson about an hour ago. She was having a good time,” Fox said from his seat on the couch. He was the only one who didn’t seem upset by any of it. Not that any ofus were upset, but we weren’t overjoyed and stress-free either. Not like Fox seemed to be.

A lot had changed with him after the incident with whatever Anson had done with Everett Church.

I was desperate to know, but I trusted Fox. I really did. The hope that he’d tell us one day kept that trust alive because I knew Fox. He always waited until the right time to do anything.

“She’s here.” Cole stepped away from the window and made to go to the front door, but I caught his arm.

“We can’t seem like we’ve been counting down the time,” I said. “Let’s just be cool so she isn’t worried about us being worried.”

He scowled at me but went and flopped down next to Fox on the couch. E shifted on the loveseat, and I waited in my chair.

The door opened and heavy footsteps thudded inside.

I sat forward as Anson came into the room with a passed-out Rosalie in his arms.

“What the fuck?” Cole snarled, getting to his feet and going to them, the rest of us on his heels.

“We had a little too much to drink,” Anson explained. “Her especially. She passed out in the car halfway here.”

“Take her upstairs,” I said, trying to keep my anger in check.

Anson moved past us, and we followed him upstairs to her room where he deposited her on her bed, smoothed her hair back from her face before whispering something in her ear. He turned to us.

“She had a good time tonight. She sang on stage. We had a little too much to drink, but I didn’t have the heart to slow her down. Next time won’t be like this. I just wanted her to let go a bit,” he said, his eyes locked on mine before he looked at the guys. “I don’t want her to be punished for this. So please, don’t.”

I nodded tightly. “Thank you for taking care of her tonight.”

“Of course.” He inclined his head at me before clapping his hand on Fox’s shoulder. “Fox.”

And with that, he left the room. None of us moved until we were certain he was gone. Then we bounced into action, checking her over. Aside from being drunk, she seemed fine and groaned a little in her sleep.

“I’m going to let her get some rest,” E said, leaning down and kissing the top of her head. “She doesn’t need us all in here coddling her. She’s going to have a hell of a headache tomorrow though.”

“Yeah, I’m going to let her be,” Fox murmured, giving her a fond look. He let out a soft laugh. “She really is going to hate herself tomorrow.”

“Maybe a good lesson,” Cole muttered.

“I’ll stay with her,” I said. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t get sick.”

Fox clapped me on the back and left the room with E, leaving Cole with me.

I stripped down to my boxers and went to the bathroom and got a glass of water and some headache medicine for her since I knew she’d need it. I came back in to see Cole had stripped down too and had crawled into bed with her.

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